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Cybermen

The Cybermen are a fictional race of cyborgs in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Cybermen are a fictional race of cyborgs in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. They are typically depicted as emotionless, technologically upgraded beings who convert other species into Cybermen. They first appeared in the 1966 serial The Tenth Planet and were created by Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis.

Fictional history

The Cybermen debuted in Doctor Who in 1966 and were created by writer Kit Pedler and story editor Gerry Davis. In their original backstory, they came from Mondas, Earth's twin planet, and gradually replaced organic body parts with machine components.

Characteristics

Cybermen are typically portrayed as cybernetic humanoids with little or no emotion. Their main method of expansion is cyber-conversion, in which they transform other beings into Cybermen by replacing organic parts with cybernetic components.

Role in Doctor Who

Over time, the Cybermen became recurring antagonists in the series and are commonly presented as major threats to the Doctor. They have appeared in many classic and modern Doctor Who stories.

Key facts

  • The Cybermen are among the best-known enemies in Doctor Who.
  • They first appeared in 1966 in The Tenth Planet.
  • Their original backstory links them to Mondas, Earth's twin planet.
  • A defining trait is the removal or suppression of emotion.
  • They often attempt to convert humans and other beings into more Cybermen.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Cybermen?
The Cybermen are a fictional race of cyborgs in Doctor Who, usually depicted as emotionless beings that convert others into more Cybermen.
When did the Cybermen first appear?
They first appeared in the 1966 Doctor Who serial The Tenth Planet.
Who created the Cybermen?
They were created by Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis.
Where did the Cybermen come from?
In their original continuity, they came from Mondas, Earth's twin planet.
What is cyber-conversion?
Cyber-conversion is the process by which Cybermen transform organic beings into Cybermen, usually by replacing body parts with cybernetic components.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberman
    Supports: General description, first appearance, creators, and original Mondas backstory.
  2. BBC — https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/characters/cybermen.shtml
    Supports: Cybermen as recurring Doctor Who villains and classic episode appearances.
  3. Doctor Who / BBC Studios — https://www.doctorwho.tv/characters/cybermen
    Supports: Origin on Mondas, emotional suppression, and cyber-conversion.